Free flow collar for control valves

Abstract

An apparatus for distributing gases and, optionally, liquids into a control valve includes a collar and a plurality of gas distribution devices. The collar includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, an inner bore formed through a central portion of the first side and the second side, an outer edge positioned between the first side and the second side and which defines an outer perimeter of the collar, an inner edge positioned between the first side and the second side and which extends around the inner bore to define an inside perimeter of the collar, and a plurality of passages that extend through the outer edge and inner edge without penetrating the first and second sides. The plurality of gas distribution devices are mounted into the passages of the collar.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for distributing at least gases comprising:
 (a) a collar comprising:
 (i) a first side; 
 (ii) a second side opposite the first side; 
 (iii) an inner bore formed through a central portion of the first side and the second side; 
 (iv) an outer edge positioned between the first side and the second side and which defines an outer perimeter of the collar; 
 (v) an inner edge positioned between the first side and the second side and which extends around the inner bore to define an inside perimeter of the collar; and 
 (vi) a plurality of passages that extend through the outer edge and inner edge without penetrating the first and second sides; and 
 
 (b) a plurality of gas distribution devices mounted into the passages of the collar, 
 wherein the outer edge of the collar comprises a plurality of (1) protrusions and (2) gaps positioned between consecutive protrusions, the gaps comprising surfaces that the passages for the gas distribution devices are formed through, and 
 wherein the gaps are positioned between the consecutive protrusions such that centerlines of all the gas distribution devices placed through the passages are oriented tangential to circular paths formed within the inner bore. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the collar further comprises one or more orifices formed through the first and second sides, wherein the orifices are smaller in diameter than the inner bore. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first side and the second side of the collar each independently have a flat even surface that extends between the inner and outer edges. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer edge comprises a plurality of protrusions that are periodically spaced apart. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the gas distribution devices independently comprise an outlet end, an inlet end, and a body positioned between the inlet end and outlet end, and wherein the gas distribution devices are mounted into the passages of the collar such that the outlet ends are directed toward the inner bore. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the outlet ends of the gas distribution devices extend past the inner edge of the collar and into the inner bore. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the inlet ends of the gas distribution devices extend past at least a portion of the outer edge of the collar. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gas distribution devices positioned within the passages of the collar are coplanar. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the gas distribution devices positioned within the passages of the collar are non-coplanar. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gas distribution devices comprise duckbill check valves. 
     
     
       11. An assembly for preparing an apparatus for distributing at least gases into a control valve, said assembly comprising:
 (a) a collar comprising:
 (i) a first side; 
 (ii) a second side opposite the first side; 
 (iii) an inner bore formed through a central portion of the first side and the second side; 
 (iv) an outer edge positioned between the first side and the second side and which defines an outer perimeter of the collar; 
 (v) an inner edge positioned between the first side and the second side and which extends around the inner bore to define an inside perimeter of the collar; and 
 (vi) a plurality of passages that extend through the outer edge and inner edge without penetrating the first and second sides; and 
 
 (b) a plurality of gas distribution devices configured to be mounted into the passages of the collar, 
 wherein the outer edge of the collar comprises a plurality of (1) protrusions and (2) gaps positioned between consecutive protrusions, the gaps comprising surfaces that the passages for the gas distribution devices are formed through, and 
 wherein the gaps are positioned between the consecutive protrusions such that centerlines of all the gas distribution devices placed through the passages are oriented tangential to circular paths formed within the inner bore. 
 
     
     
       12. The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the collar further comprises one or more orifices formed through the first and second sides, wherein the orifices are smaller in diameter than the inner bore. 
     
     
       13. The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first side and the second side of the collar each independently have a flat even surface that extends between the inner and outer edges. 
     
     
       14. The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the outer edge comprises a plurality of protrusions that are periodically spaced apart. 
     
     
       15. The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the gas distribution devices comprise duckbill check valves. 
     
     
       16. A system for controlling and distributing a solid or liquid substance comprising a control valve and an apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
 (a) a collar comprising:
 (i) a first side; 
 (ii) a second side opposite the first side; 
 (iii) an inner bore formed through a central portion of the first side and the second side; 
 (iv) an outer edge positioned between the first side and the second side and which defines an outer perimeter of the collar; 
 (v) an inner edge positioned between the first side and the second side and which extends around the inner bore to define an inside perimeter of the collar; and 
 (vi) a plurality of passages that extend through the outer edge and inner edge without penetrating the first and second sides; and 
 
 (b) a plurality of gas distribution devices mounted into the passages of the collar, 
 wherein the outer edge of the collar comprises a plurality of (1) protrusions and (2) gaps positioned between consecutive protrusions, the gaps comprising surfaces that the passages for the gas distribution devices are formed through, and 
 wherein the gaps are positioned between the consecutive protrusions such that centerlines of all the gas distribution devices placed through the passages are oriented tangential to circular paths formed within the inner bore. 
 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus is in direct contact with the control valve. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 16 , wherein the system comprises at least two apparatuses, and wherein at least a first apparatus is positioned at an inlet end of the control valve and at least a second apparatus is positioned at an outlet end of the control valve. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 16 , wherein a centerline of the inner bore is approximately coincident with a centerline of the control valve and a flow path extending through the centerline of the control valve. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a containment device for storing solid or liquid substances, wherein the containment device is attached to the apparatus or the control valve through a conduit. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a gas or liquid source connected to the gas distribution devices. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gas distribution devices are configured to distribute a liquid. 
     
     
       23. The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the gas distribution devices are configured to distribute a liquid.